Westminster WINTER 2011
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Declaring the Whole Counsel of God South Korea Discovers Westminster
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The Word of Our God
His Unbreakable Words
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estminster welcomed over 145 new students this year. At convocation we heard our newest professor Rev. Dr. Gregory K. Beale
deliver the opening message that called us to personal and theological faithfulness in our age of confusion. We are pleased that he has joined the Westminster faculty as Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology and began teaching this academic year (2010-2011). God blessed us again with another successful Preaching Conference on “Him We Proclaim!” (October 2010)—audio available at wts.edu. Among the new developments that we’ve experienced at the Seminary this year include: a conference on Science and Theology (March 2010); a symposium on Business Ethics ( June 2010); the distribution of Professor Vern Poythress’ ground-breaking work Redeeming Science to some 15,000 science teachers and students nationally; and the granting of four Huff Scholarships on science and theology. Our vision is “to form Christian leaders to proclaim the whole counsel of God throughout a changing world.” Yet, what we teach applies to all who follow Christ, because change is inevitable for all. And when the unpredictability of tomorrow consumes our hearts, with insatiable tyranny, it devours any sense of stability, confidence and peace. A violent and merciless master, change relentlessly erodes the very things to which we cling for confidence and assurance. But there is good news, indeed, great news. Into that tumultuous world, God has spoken. His unbreakable words yield strength, hope and stability and as the very words of God, Scripture grants us full confidence for today, tomorrow…forever! Prayerfully consider joining us for the Reformation Tour led by Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman and me this coming June and July (see details on back cover). Your goodwill and support are most deeply appreciated. Please continue to visit our website, and if possible, visit us on campus. Please keep Westminster, our students, staff, faculty and board, in your prayers as all of us strive to do all things to God’s glory.
Rev. Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President
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Winter 2011
Westminster Today President & publisher
Peter A. Lillback, Ph.D. ’85 Vice president for development
W. Brown Vincent
contents
Executive editor
J. Michael Cuzzonlina, MDiv ’05 Managing editor
Jeremy Eshelman, M.Div student DESIGN
Cause Design www.causedesign.com CONTRIBUTORS
Rev. Dr. Greg Beale • Karen Bishop • Yoseop Choi Rev. George Cottenden • Rev. John Currie J. Michael Cuzzolina • Jeremy Eshelman Rev. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson • Rev. Gabe Fluhrer Andrew Kim • Rev. Dr. Peter Lillback • Insoo Oh Rev. Dr. K. Scott Oliphint • Dave Senior Rev. Dr. Carl Trueman • W. Brown Vincent Rodd Whitney • Rev. Dr. Timothy Witmer Photo Credits
Chae Chong – luxdei photography, chaechong@gmail.com http://luxdei.smugmug.com Chris Leaman Chris Leaman Photography Chris@chrisleaman.com Jeremy Eshelman Coordinator of Communications Westminster Theological Seminary Subscriptions
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features
6 Declaring the Whole Counsel of God 10 A Confident Strategy for the Times 14 Coming Home 16 South Korea Discovers Westminster The Power of the Word of God
Rev. John Currie—Adapted from the Full Confidence Series
Our Newest Professor Rev. Dr. Gregory K. Beale
Harvey Conn’s Korea
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© Copyright 2011 Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, PA All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted. mission
Westminster Today’s purpose is to highlight the Westminster difference in the unique way we are forming, teaching and engaging in light of our overarching mission “to form Christian leaders to proclaim the whole counsel of God throughout a changing world.” In any given year, Westminster students— coming from 100 denominations, 40 countries and 35 states—are being equipped to become ministers, missionaries, professors, writers, speakers and Christian workers worldwide. On the cover:
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Investing in the Future Westminster Students
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Westminster Today | 3
W EST M INSTE R
V O I C ES
I would encourage people to recognize that it is Christ who builds his church. The Lord can take very imperfect instruments and use them to accomplish His purposes. George Cottenden, MDiv 1967, OPC Teaching Elder (retired), WTS Trustee, and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
WESTMINSTER
SPEAKS
What is an evangelical?
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Winter 2011
evangelicalism today is experiencing a crisis of fragmentation . Fifty years ago, to be an evangelical implied a deep commitment to the great creedal verities of historic Christianity. But it also included certain distinctive views about the nature of the work of Christ and how the blessings of salvation are received. At the heart of these lay the authority of Scripture and the twin convictions that the death of Christ involved penal substitution, and that the beginning of the Christian life was marked by justification by faith alone…. Of course there were differences among evangelicals. But by and large there remained much common ground. The map has now changed, perhaps beyond recognition and possibly permanently. The question “What is an evangelical?” would today receive a wide variety of answers...But, all the while, something deeper has been taking place under the surface…[it] should have been evident from the books produced by evangelical publishers, by the nature of pulpit rhetoric, and the themes of the conferences and seminars evangelicals organized and attended. One great theme tended to be overlooked. Sadly, it was one of the defining themes of historic evangelicalism: Jesus Christ, his Person and Work. Doubtless it was always assumed. But throughout the middle period of the twentieth century evangelical literature paid scant attention to this central theme of the gospel or to the way in which union with Christ brings the Christian every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). more... at wts.edu/ezine excerpt from K. Scott Oliphint, editor, Justified in Christ, “Introduction: The Justification Crisis” by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Must READS
Confidence in the authority and inerrancy of Scripture is ebbing today, even in evangelicalism.
“Confidence in the authority and inerrancy of Scripture is ebbing today, even in evangelicalism. Postmodernism and certain hermeneutical presuppositions threaten to undermine the foundations of evangelicalism. Greg Beale’s sturdy, convincing, and courageous defense of the accuracy and inerrancy of Scripture bolsters our assurance that God’s Word is true. Praise God for this scholarly and spirited defense of the truth of Scripture.” —Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“This is an important book, a timely book much in need of being written and one that will be read with the greatest profit. This is especially so for those who, committed to a redemptive—or covenant—historical reading of the Bible, recognize and seek to honor and proclaim as its central theme, Old Testament as well as New, Christ in his person and work as the consummate revelation of the triune God.” —Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
“This book is a must–read for our generation.” —John D. Currid, Carl McMurray Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary
Order these and other Reformed books at great prices at
wtsbooks.com!
You probably speak 20,000 words a day, give or take, and each one influences those who listen. No wonder God has so much to say about our words. We are all counselors, whether we realize it or not! Speaking Truth in Love is a blueprint for communication that strengthens community in Christ. The principles outlined in this pivotal work are specific to counseling, yet extend to marriage, family, friendship, business and the church. Staff Review: “While written for
counselors, anyone interested in applying biblical truth to relationships will benefit from this book.” —Nick Darrell, Bookstore Staff, December 2005.
VISIT WWW.CCEF.ORG FOR FREE COUNSELING RESOURCES AND TO EXPLORE THEIR COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES.
David Powlison, MDiv, PhD David is a faculty member at CCEF and an adjunct professor of practical theology at Westminster. He holds an M.Div. degree from Westminster, as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. David has been counseling for over 30 years, and has written numerous articles on biblical counseling and on the relationship between faith and psychology. His books include Speaking Truth in Love; Seeing with New Eyes; Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare; and The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context. Recently, David was added as a council member for the Gospel Coalition.
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Westminster Today | 5
COunsEl
OF GOD by Rev. Dr. Carl R. Trueman Professor of Church History and Historical Theology
n the Westminster Theological Seminary seal there is a picture of an open Bible upon which a sword has been placed. The purpose of the imagery is obvious: to convey the biblical idea of the power of the Word of God. Then, above the Bible in Greek are written words which translate as ‘The whole counsel of God’— no doubt a reference to Acts 20:27 where Paul, speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus, declares that he had not shrunk from “declaring the whole counsel of God” to them. That is a clear, categorical statement: Paul’s conscience was clear because he had taught them everything he was supposed to teach them. The idea of teaching the ‘whole counsel of God’ is surely something with which all Christians would agree. It is rather like asking whether we should be kind to animals or eat healthy food or be in favor of better standards of living. Nobody, at least nobody in their right mind, would deny such. Yet there are complexities here. After all, what exactly is “the whole counsel of God?” We may well all be in favor of it; but it is not self-evident from the phrase itself exactly what is intended thereby. In fact, if we look at what we know of Paul’s ministry—the narrative account in the Book of Acts, and then the various letters which he sent to particular churches and individuals—a pretty
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Winter 2011
bible and sword: chae chong/luxdei photography
DEClarinG the Whole
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Westminster Today | 7
good idea of what Paul considered to be the whole counsel The basic elements were this: there is one God, who of God does emerge. Put simply, it involves an explication created all things; creation was good but fell into sin; God of the signif icance of the Old Testament, and how this is sent his Son, incarnate in real human flesh, to redeem; the seen to be fulf illed in Jesus Christ, and then the drawing Son suffered and died and rose again and is now ascended out of the significance of this for the life of the church, both to heaven from whence he has sent his Spirit to guard and corporately and in terms of her individual members. That is guide the church; and at the end of time, the Son shall both a vast topic and a peculiarly narrow and focused one. return to judge the living and the dead, ushering the saved It is vast because it is concerned, first and foremost, with to heaven and the unsaved to hell. the great actions of God in undoing the curse that was laid From a twenty-f irst centur y perspective, we would upon humanity in the Garden of Eden. Also, because God certainly want to flesh out somewhat considerably each of is one whose foolishness is so profound as to be infinitely these basic topics, although there are times, no doubt, when higher than humanity’s greatest wisdom, the story of God’s many ministers and pastors would regard even this level of actions is one that, while capable of being grasped by the knowledge among some congregants as an improvement. simplest child, cannot be fully fathomed by the most brilliant But the key point is this: these headings not only give us and learned adult. If it is vast because it insight into what the earliest postdeals with God, it is narrow because apostolic Christian churches thought “the whole counsel of God” in Acts FOCUSING ON THE LATEST was important, they also basical ly 20:27 clearly does not deal with all c a pt u r e t he e s s ent i a l t opic s a nd aspects of human existence. There is framework of biblical teaching. A no evidence to suggest, for example, RATHER THAN UPON THE moment of ref lection on Acts and that Paul spent any time in Ephesus Paul’s letters would seem to indicate explaining to the congregation how that a book which took each of these they might go about basket weaving topics for a chapter could quite easily or building a house or understanding cover all of the essential aspects of poetry or cooking a meal. Surely all Paul’s teaching, in other words, the such activities are in themselves quite legitimate, but such whole counsel of God as Paul understands it. things are not here what is implied in language about the If we jump f rom the early church to present d ay whole counsel of God. Otherwise, Paul could scarcely West m i nster, i n accord a nce w ith the word s on the have made the unqualified, categorical claim that he did, institutional seal, we too are committed to the whole counsel for surely somebody would have drawn his attention to the of God. Not that that means students who attend Westminster fact that he had never actually given the Ephesians a lecture can study anything: believing that one can pursue a vocation on, say, techniques of toga manufacturing in the Eastern as a Christian, and believing that one needs a peculiarly Mediterranean or a Christian approach to the comedic Christian training to do so, are not the same thing. structure of the plays of Aristophanes. Westminster does not train computer scientists, or ballet In fact, the early church summarized the whole counsel of dancers or Navy Seals, worthy and legitimate as all of these God in what is known as the Rule of Faith. While the Rule callings are. Our founder, J. Gresham Machen, declared that occurred in various forms in the ancient Christian world, its “we exist to train specialist in the Bible;” we might recast basic content was always the same, and it demonstrates very that and say we train specialists in the whole counsel of clearly what the church of the immediate post-Apostolic era God, and the curricula of our various degrees is designed considered to be important. specifically with this in mind.
CULTURAL FAD
PRIORITIES
OF SCRIPTURE…
the
WESTMINSTER
SEAL
OPEN BIBLE The very Word of God written
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GREEK The Whole Counsel of God
A focus on biblical languages serves to unlock the very Indeed, it is arguable that one can do little better than text of the Word of God as delivered in the original. Courses checking the regular diet of sermons at your church against in biblical theology serve to give coherence to the story of the priorities laid out in the great creeds and confessions of God’s great acts of creation and salvation, as they culminate the church. The Nicene Creed, for example, has stood the in Jesus Christ and as they will be consummated at His return. test of time because it deals only with issues of perennial Systematic theology examines how the material of biblical significance; and they are of perennial significance because revelation can be organized in a way that draws out not they reflect certain priorities of the Bible. The same goes, in simply the narrative of God’s dealings with His people, but more elaborate form, for, say, the Westminster Confession also the implications for whom God has revealed himself to of Faith or the Heidelberg Catechism. be; apologetics demonstrates how the world only really makes Now, of course, these are not infallible documents. They sense in light of God’s revelation of himself; church history are man-made and always subject to correction by Scripture. explores how the church’s understanding of the whole counsel But they have lasted because they deal not with the changing of God has deepened and been elaborated over time; and priorities and phenomena of earthly culture, where today’s practical theology brings the whole together, demonstrating must-read headline is tomorrow’s candidate for the recycling how all of this knowledge can be brought bin; rather, they deal with the key to bear from the pulpit and in personal aspects of the whole counsel of God as …IS INDICATIVE OF A conversation between Christians. Paul understood it. We may disagree All the time, though, the focus is MINISTRY THAT IS PROBABLY on some of the details of their content, on God and on the story of creation perhaps, but the importance of the and salvation. This is not to say that a topics they address is beyond question. Christian should not have opinions on THE WHOLE COUNSEL They reflect, after all, the priorities of a whole range of issues; but the specifics the ministry of Paul, as laid out in the of the whole counsel of God, as Paul books of scripture. uses the terms, are focused on what we As the Westminster Divines were might call the gospel: the declaration of convicted in 1647, today Westminster what God has done in Christ and why that matters. Theological Seminary continues to endeavor neither to This brings me finally to the question: how can I know add to nor detract from the very Words of the living God. that my church is teaching the whole counsel of God as Paul In the Council called by Parliament, they punctuated the understood it? There are various tell-tale signs that such point, “The whole counsel of God, concerning all things might not be the case: if your minister spends more time necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, talking about politics than Jesus Christ; if he spends more is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and time telling you what you need to do, rather than telling necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto you what God in Christ has done; if he is always focusing which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new on the latest cultural fad rather than upon the priorities revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men” [2 Tim. 3:15, of scripture—these are all indicative of a ministry that is 16, 17; Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Thess. 2:2 (WCF 1.6)]. probably not preaching the whole counsel of God, however Our motto is Declaring the Whole Counsel of God, wide-ranging the topics covered may be. It is not breadth because we are committed to fully prepare every student of topic but rather narrowness of focus upon God and his God entrusts to us via a thorough and in depth study of revelation that is, paradoxically, a sign that more of the His Word. Praise God with us that this conviction remains whole counsel is actually being covered. unyielding. +++
NOT PREACHING
OF GOD.
SWORD The Power of the Word of God alone
PULPIT The Word of God incarnate
LATIN Seal of Westminster Theological Seminary of Philadelphia 1930
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Westminster Today | 9
A
Confident Strategy for the
Times
By Rev. John Currie, adapted from Full Confidence sermon Culture watchers tell us the church is in crisis! The American Church research project states that only 17.5% of the US population attends an orthodox C h r i s t i a n chu r ch on a ny g i ve n weekend.1 The future doesn’t look any brighter. A recent book, titled Unchristian, analyzes trends amongst 16 -28 year olds, in ter ms of their perspective on Christianity and the church. Amongst 16 -28 year olds, only 16% have a “good impression” of Christianity. 87% of the emerging generation perceived Christianity to be too judgmental, 85% perceived it to be hypocritical, 78% old fashioned, and 70% generally insensitive to others.2 Data like this shows us the Christian faith in our time is perceived to be not just unbelievable but unlovely and even hostile. The commitment of the Christian faith to an authoritative revelation and to persuade others that this revelation is authoritative for them is perceived not only as irrelevant but profoundly offensive. So, how do we do ministry with any 1 David T. Olson, “12 Surprising Facts PowerPoint Presentation” http://www.TheAmericanChurch.org (2008)-Accessed December 22, 2010. 3. 2 David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity and Why It Matters (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007), 28.
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kind of confidence in such a cultural moment? How do we serve the coming of God’s kingdom with confidence at such a time as this? To answer that question I consulted with a seasoned servant of God who had spent decades church planting in a pluralistic cross-cultural context and had seen incredible fruit from his ministry. When one of his apprentices was facing a very dark situation in his city and church the old mentor sent him a letter to tell him what to do in the situation. It turned out to be the last correspondence the old kingdom servant ever had with anyone. Here’s what he wrote: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhor t, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves
17.5% Percentage of the US population that attends an orthodox Christian church on Sunday
teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5, ESV)
It’s signif icant to understand that this was what Paul chose as the very last thing to write to a beloved son in the faith whom he anticipated must “endure suffering” and whom the great missionary was trusting to carry forward the mission of the church, to “do the work of an evangelist”(v.5). This is the last charge of the f irst missionary who is concerned about the faithfulness and fruitfulness of a son he’s mentored to kingdom service and his charge is… “Preach the word!” It’s also signif icant to understand t h a t t he c on t e x t fo r Ti m o t h y ’s kingdom ser vice was, like ours, a darkened tr uth opposing cu lt ure. Verse 3 says people in Timothy’s context would not put up with sound teaching. Sound teaching refers to the pattern of sound words, delivered through Apostles, the good deposit of the gospel, which Timothy was to guard. This would be intolerable to people. They would turn away from listening to the truth and actually pile up teachers to satisfy their ticklish ears and suit their own passions. People in a truth opposing time don’t just turn away from they turn to. Verse 4 says they turn from the truth to myths, that
We live in a time when truth is not something that comes from outside ourselves.
is, speculative interpretations of the world that only the gullible believe. Timothy’s context of service was a culture where people walked after hu m a nely cra f ted na r rat ives that pretended to interpret their world, where they had a negative attitude toward the truth and a positive attitude toward error. What’s striking, and so profoundly relevant, is that this particular symptom, truth intolerance, required preaching the word! Each of us makes choices about how to do faithful, fruitful ministry in our time. For those of who have been set apart for this very service, ordained to preach, this is our call, our charge! And this passage is a call to examine what we tr ust, where we put our time, what we are willing to die for. To keep first things first in the service for which God has set us apart! But it’s not just those who are set apart for the service of the Word this passage speaks to. Those who receive ministry and, as a kingdom of priests, participate in it must also make choices about ministry strategy. What kind of ministry do you expect from the church, from your pastor? How do you expect the church to nurture your soul and the soul of your family? How do you serve faithfully and fruitfully when God opens doors for you to minister to neighbors, and colleagues and loved ones? What’s the strateg y you can be confident in, in a truth intolerant, darkened cultural moment?
If you’d a sked the m issiona l ly ef fective, cultural ly sav v y, philosophically informed, not to mention divinely inspired, Apostle he would say “Preach the Word!” This final charge of God’s spokesman contains a ministry shaping reality for those who desire to seek God’s kingdom in our time. If you want to serve God in a way that’s in touch with the times prioritize the proclamation of the word! +++
Rev. John Currie is Director of Student Development and Alumni Relations, and lecturer in practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Peace River Bible Institute (BRE, 1991) and Westminster (MAR, 2004). He is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (the Presbytery of Philadelphia). He served as the pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Ambler PA. He contributed “Preaching by Faith not by Sight: A sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:5” to Resurrection and Eschatology, a feschrift in honor of Dr. Richard B. Gaffin Jr. He has taught at Westminster since 2006.
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Westminster Today | 11
by Rev. Dr. David Garner Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
We live in a World Wide Web of instantaneous data, flashy news media, social networking, and ubiquitous video. As twenty-first century people with modern tools, toys, and views of the world, we will not stomach what we deem old or irrelevant, impractical or restrictive. Our wisdom is cutting edge, forward thinking, freedom rendering and refined. Standing in this world of self-centered sophistication is a book unlike any other. It has been challenged by scholarship, despised by critics, prohibited by totalitarian states, and marginalized by every post-Christian sub-culture. It has been burned, buried, and banned. But it stubbornly remains; its voice cannot be silenced. In this spinning world of chaos is the dependable, unchanging compass: the Bible. Can it still be trusted? Recall C. S. Lewis’ celebrated statement: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.
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He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 1
Lewis is right about Jesus. His claims and the claims of His apostles prevent us from considering Him as merely one great man among many. What we mustn’t miss, however, is that what is true of Jesus’ character is true also of the Word He speaks, commends and fulfills. Let me co-opt Lewis. The Bible is indeed a book with great moral teaching. It is a book written by great human authors. But there are thousands of great books with great moral value written by great men and women. The Bible is much more. It, like Jesus, claims to be much more. To reduce it to moral code or religious practice at the hands of humans is the one thing we must not say. To do so is to miss the Center of the Book, Jesus Christ, and to miss the character of the book, divine. To relegate the Bible to one book among others is already to stand in judgment upon it and to deny its claims. Either this book was and is the Word of God or it is not. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about it being great literature and a great book on morality. The Bible does not leave that open to us. It does not intend to. Jesus did not leave that open to us. He did not intend to. The Bible is the divine, authoritative Word, and God is its Author (2 Timothy 3:16). It leaves us no room for equivocation, compromise, or spin. Holy Scripture not only can be trusted, it must be trusted. As God’s revealed Word it calls for our meticulous, relentless consumption. The Bible entreats our hunger and devotion; it demands our ears, our minds, our hearts, and our lives. Almighty God has opened His mouth and spoken. We have the great privilege of feasting on His Word from which we discover the gracious blessing in His Son, the Living Word. And as this divine Son contended about these very Scriptures, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:46-47, ESV) +++ 1 C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (MacMillan, 1960): 40-41.
garner: chae chong/luxdei photography
Should We Still Trust the Bible?
Westminster Theological Seminary
FULL CONFIDENCE 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 1
C o n f e r e n c e
S e r i e s
ThE Grass WitHErs, thE FlowEr FaDEs, But thE worD oF our GoD Will sTanD ForEVEr. Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
Change is inevitable. And when the unpredictability of tomorrow consumes our hearts, with insatiable tyranny, it devours any sense of stability, confidence, and peace. A violent and merciless master, change relentlessly erodes the very things to which we cling for confidence and assurance. But there is good news, indeed, great news. Into that tumultuous world, God has spoken. His unbreakable words yield strength, hope and stability, and as the very words of God, Scripture grants us full confidence for today, tomorrow… forever. Westminster Theological Seminary’s conviction is that this revealed, self-attesting Word of God must ground and shape all human thought, and that this Word, centered on Jesus Christ the Eternal and Incarnate Word, bears absolute authority in defining, understanding and defending all issues of life in a changing world. This is the need of the hour – a fresh word on the revealed Word. Please make plans to participate at one of the 2009-11 Full Confidence Conferences led by Westminster faculty, and hosted by churches and WTS alumni and friends in cities throughout North America. Join us to discover how you can live and minister in full confidence.
2010-11 Schedule February 18-20, 2011 Fort Worth, TX March 25-27, 2011 Vancouver, BC, Canada April 1-3, 2011 Edmonton, AB, Canada April 15–17, 2011 Pittsburgh, PA April 29–May 1, 2011 Nashville, TN October 29-30, 2011 Lancaster, PA
For more information, or to register, visit wts.edu/fullconfidence.
M EET
THE
FACULTY
Education BA, Southern Methodist University, 1971 MA, Southern Methodist University, 1976 ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1976 PhD, University of Cambridge, 1981
Teaching Guest Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Philosophy and Religion, 1980-1982 Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Philosophy and Religion, 1983-1984, Grove City College Assistant Professor of New Testament, 1984-1986 Associate Professor, 1987-1992 Professor, 1992-2000 Director of the Th.M. in Biblical Theology Degree Program, 1992-2000, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Coming Home We are pleased to announce Rev. Dr. Gregory K. Beale has joined the Westminster faculty as Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology and began teaching this academic year (2010-2011). Q: Greg, you taught for four years at Grove City College, 16 years at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and the last decade you have been at Wheaton College. Why this move to Westminster now? A: “Well, for almost all of my academic career, teaching, I have been at schools that have been non-denominational— yet mainline evangelical—but very diverse within that framework. I have enjoyed that, but I’ve always been very reformed and Calvinistic. [For example] my own eschatology is what I call ‘inaugurated millennialism’ instead of ‘amillenialism’ though ultimately that’s historically the rubric I would fall under. “So this might end up being my last institutional identif ication, though I hope it lasts a long time, and I really wanted to identify with a school that really does represent my own theological convictions. I especially want to identify with the direction that Westminster is going in with respect to its robust understanding of the inspiration of Scripture, in contrast to recent trends on this matter in other sectors of so-called evangelicalism. “I’ve said a couple of times, in some of the interviews that it’s like coming home theologically for me.”
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Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies and Professor of New Testament, 1999-2010 Coordinator for the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis program, Fall 2001-2009, Wheaton College Graduate School Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Westminster, 2010-
Memberships Evangelical Theological Society Institute for Biblical Research Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas Society of Biblical Literature Tyndale Fellowship
Author The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism: Responding to New Challenges to Biblical Authority We Become Like What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry A Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God 1-2 Thessalonians John’s Use of the Old Testament in Revelation The Book of Revelation Right Doctrine From Wrong Texts? Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament The Use of Daniel in Jewish Apocalyptic Literature and in the Revelation of St. John
chae chong/luxdei photography
“[I] wanted to identify with a school that really does represent my own theological convictions.”
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Westminster Today | 15
SOUTH KOREA DISCOVERS WESTMINSTER By J. Michael Cuzzolina South Korean conservatives share the deep conviction with Westminster that the Scriptures are “the very words of God” and are, as much as ‘God is God and we are not’, unquestionably “infallible.” And just as much as it is a surprise for many who walk our quaint campus in Glenside, PA and hear Korean at every turn; it is equally a surprise to find Harvie Conn’s (former professor of missions) photo hanging in Korean pastors’ offices worldwide. The truth is whether you interview current Korean seminary students, dig into Westminster’s archived letters or read Korean church history books from the early 1900s, Westminster has always been a trusted defender of the faith, holding to the authority of Scripture as witness to the glorious grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! Consequently, over 80 years later there are more than 100 Korean PhDs from Westminster serving as leaders, professors, pastors and presidents of Christian educational institutions and churches. Many graduates have remarkably served in kingdom building roles, such as Rev. Dr. Jung Yun Lee now serving as the President of the Council of Presbyterian Churches in Korea, which represents 27 denominations, with over 10 million members. Dr. harvie conn’s witness Dr. Harvie Conn’s Westminster Theological Journal article in May 1967 titled, “Studies in the Theology of the Korean Presbyterian Church: An Historical Outline, Part I” details the shared convictions: “In 1917, Pyongyang was formally established as the Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
16 | Westminster Today
Winter 2011
“The Bible is the one textbook emphasized and studied. Presbyterians, with their historic Calvinistic background, accepting the Westminster standards and Presbyterian form of government have, as of old, unquestioningly accepted the Scriptures as the very Word of God…the doctrinal basis of the seminary, drawn up and adopted in 1920. “Sincerely accepting the Bible as the inspired Word of God, and therefore, the foundation of all conduct. There has never been any uncertainty as to the evangelical message of the Korea Mission. Most of its members have been men with a strong conviction that the Bible is the very Word of God, the sword of the Spirit [emphasis added], and that salvation is in none other than in Jesus Christ.” Westminster professors’ writings appeared in Korean journals The Presbyterian Theological Review, which began to appear in 1918 under the auspices of the Pyongyang Seminary, first introduced Westminster. As early as 1923, articles by Robert Dick Wilson [cofounder and professor of Old Testament at Westminster, 1929] evaluating liberal trends in Old Testament studies appeared in translation. He wrote, “I have come to the conviction that no man knows enough to attack the veracity of the Old Testament. Every time when anyone has been
A collection of photos of South Korea from the Westminster Archives—the Bruce Hunt Papers, including the above image of Harvie Conn teaching in Korea
able to get together enough d o c u m e n t a r y ‘ p r o o f s’ t o undertake an investigation, the biblical facts in the original text have victoriously met the test” (quoted in R. Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture). In the late 1920s, he left Princeton to teach at the new, conservative Westminster Theological Seminary. Other sample titles were equally designed to acquaint the young church with new western thought, whether liberal or conservative. Isolationism in theology could hardly be laid at the door of such articles as “Humanism as a New Religion,” “The Origin of Paul’s Religion” (a translation of Machen’s work), Theology of the Social Gospel.” This conservative character of the early church in Korea was more than just broadly evangelical. Theologically, it possessed, to a remarkable degree, a sharp knowledge of the distinctives of the Reformed faith or Calvinism. In 1929, Machen’s What is Faith? [co-founder/ professor of New Testament at Westminster] appeared in translation. This is what you would have read from Machen if you were in Korea at the time: “The preachers of the present time allude to the importance of becoming a Christian, but they seldom seem to make the matter the subject of express exposition; they leave the people with a vague impression to the effect
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Westminster Today | 17
EXCERPT FROM Harvie Conn’s last missionary newslet ter—July 1972— given his decision to become a Westminster professor of missions: “…But most of all you remember the Christians of Korea— their love, their hospitality, their kindness…Some exciting prospects loom before us at Westminster. “In a quick run through of Westminster’s 1971 alumni directory, I numbered 62 graduates from a total of 1,130 who have served, or are serving now, as foreign missionaries. Some would say 1/20th is not very high… I look on that figure as a call, the Lord’s challenge. Up to 1971, Westminster has trained a total of roughly 111 Asian students. Only 54 of these have returned, at present writing, to their native land. Some might
Korean & Korean-American students at Westminster Based on 09-10 student directory 50
45
40
30 NUMBER OF STUDENTS
that being a Christian is a good thing, but this impression is difficult to translate into action because definite directions are absent. These preachers speak about faith, but they do not tell what faith is… “…the classic example of faith is to be found in the faith that is enjoined in the New Testament… “How is it that Christ touches our lives? “The answer which the Word of God gives to that question is perfectly specific and perfectly plain. Christ touches our lives, according to the New Testament, through the Cross… When we accept the gift, we are clothed, entirely without merit of our own, by the righteousness of Christ…”
23 20 12
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Color Key:
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look on this as a demand for self-consideration. “Are we fully preparing these men for ministry in their homeland? How can we do that from this part of the world? These are questions this new position thrusts upon us. Pray the Lord will give us courage to seek answers, and the patience to wait if we cannot quickly find them.” +++
Interview with Korean Student Fellowship (KSF) Today Q: How has God used Westminster thus far to grow you in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? A: Insoo Oh, MDiv student and president KSF, “Every class leads me to a Christ-centered perspective and a Gospeloriented worldview in every realm of my life.” Q: What sets Westminster apart from other seminaries? A: Andrew Kim, MDiv student and secretary of KSF, “Westminster’s tradition of orthodox, Reformed theology and its commitment to the Westminster Standards…A truly Christ-centered perspective and a most rigorous academic atmosphere are also the strength and difference of Westminster.” Q: Did alumni influence your decision to come to WTS? A: Yoseop Choi, MDiv student and vice president of KSF, “I was influenced by Bong-ho Son (MDiv ’65) and Kook-won Shin (MDiv ‘83). They are both Westminster alumni and working actively as professors, preachers and theologians in a Reformed (or conservative) circle in Korea.”
18 | Westminster Today
Winter 2011
the officers Pictured above (left to right) Manager: Moses Chung; Director: David Lee; Treasurer: Daniel Chun; President: Insoo Oh; Vice PRESIDENT: Yoseop Choi; Secretary:
Andrew Kim (not pictured)
The mission of KSF is to provide an environment where students of Korean heritage, or those interested or involved in Korean-context ministries, can interact, challenge and grow together in Christ. We also seek to serve the greater Westminster community by participating in school events, and create networking opportunities between current students and alumni.
IN V ESTIN G
IN
THE
F UTU R E
[ Westminster students ]
“I’m not going back to school, sweetheart. Well, hang on – there is one exception. I would go back to school only if I could study under Dr. Scott Oliphint at Westminster. But that’s not going to happen, so I’m not going back to school.” Those were the words (roughly) which I spoke to my dear wife upon graduating from seminary in 2008. Two years later, thanks to hundreds of answered prayers, the loving suppor t of a treasured congregation and the help of donors like you reading this, here I sit as a PhD student at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Westminster is the only place I applied to or considered for my PhD work. This is not because I think other institutions so def icient or myself somehow so competent as to need to overlook other programs. Rather, it is the fact that I feel so keenly my duty as a minister of the gospel to give my best to our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Only a Westminster PhD, with the high privilege of studying under some of the greatest minds in the church, would enable me to do what I desire. I can only say “thank you” to all of the donors for making this possible for people like me. Moving here to Philadelphia was one of the hardest decisions of my family’s collective life. But we have already—in such a brief amount of time—been rewarded so far above and beyond our expectations. This is why Westminster should be at the top of anyone’s list who is
thinking about supporting a ministry. Times are tough (having been in the local church, I know this so I don’t minimize this fact!), but this seminary, af ter a l l, was founded dur ing the Great Depression! So please consider giving to Westminster. It is because of the generosity of so many donors that I have the opportunity to study God’s Word hard. I pray that I will return wherever our triune God calls
me a more (hopefully) faithful, Biblesaturated, Christ-exalting, inerrant Scripture-proclaiming servant of the faith once for all delivered. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. For the praise of his glorious grace— and that alone, Rev. Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer PhD student, Apologetics
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Westminster Today | 19
Dear Westminster Friends, Recently, physicist Stephen Hawking declared that “there is no place for God in the
creation of the universe.” Joining a long legacy of scientists who negate thousands of years of religious history, Hawking has once again made national headlines and reaffirmed a theory whose implications will reverberate for generations to come. How can we, as God’s people, seize this opportunity to respond faithfully and purposefully with a Biblical worldview? Does science undermine or does it actually corroborate belief in God? Do we have reason to fear science? The DVD series of Westminster’s Science and Faith Conference explores a Biblical view of science and nature; the role of Christianity in founding modern science; the impact of Darwinian evolution on cultural ethics, Biblical studies and theology; and the scientific evidence for intelligent design and its implications for theism. An excellent source for your own enrichment or church Bible study, this series includes teaching from Dr. Vern S. Poythress (pictured below), Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster. Dr. Poythress holds a PhD in Mathematics from Harvard and a DTh from University of Stellenbosch, and is the author of Redeeming Science. I n t h i s compel l i n g ser ie s, Dr. Poythress, and other Westminster faculty navigate the diff icult waters between science and faith in layman’s language, while placing the two disciplines squarely in the hands of the Living God. For the next few months, in gratitude for your donation of $100 or more to Westminster*, you will receive this masterfully produced DVD series as our gift to you. To receive your Science and Faith Conference DVD series, simply return your gift in the enclosed envelope. While building your own knowledge and understanding of this important topic, you will also help build up the Church of Jesus Christ for future generations. We thank you in advance for your continued faithfulness and support to Westminster. In Christ,
Brown Vincent, Vice President of Development
The upcoming Wesminster Conference on Science and Faith will be held on April 8-9, 2011 on Westminster’s Philadelphia campus.
*DVD retail value, $50; according to IRS regulations, the remainder of your contribution is tax deductible.
Winter 2011
Poythress: chae chong/luxdei photography
SHARED STEWARDSHIP 20 | Westminster Today
Science and Faith
TOP-SELLING CCEF BOOKS*
TOP 10
For the past four decades, the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation has been growing and contributing to the biblical counseling movement as that movement has grown in both influence and maturity. 1
Marriage Matters, Winston T. Smith. The principles in this book will take your marriage to extraordinary places and lead you into a deeper relationship with an extraordinary God.
2
The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context, David Powlison. This book is an invaluable resource for those who want to understand the biblical counseling movement.
3
Caught Off Guard, William P. Smith. With real stories from today and biblical times, Smith demonstrates surprising and often unnoticed attributes of a loving and purposeful God.
4
Cross Talk, Michael R. Emlet. In this book, you will learn to understand people and God’s Word in ways that promote gospel-centered, rich conversations that help you and those you know grow in love for God and others.
5
Depression: A Stubborn Darkness, Edward T. Welch. This book gives new hope to those who struggle with depression, and those who seek to help them.
6
How People Change, Timothy S. Lane and Paul D. Tripp. When the Bible talks about the gift of a new heart, it doesn’t mean a heart that is immediately perfected, but a heart that is capable of being changed.
7
Running Scared, Edward T. Welch. Far more than merely another psychology “selfhelp” guide, Running Scared serves as a biblical roadmap to a life of serenity and security.
8
Speaking Truth in Love, David Powlison. Speaking Truth in Love is sure to become required reading for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a counselor or anyone else who longs for ways to redeem relationships.
9
Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, Edward T. Welch. “This is vital reading for church leaders, and for friends and family desiring to help those struggling with addictions.” —John Freeman, Harvest USA
10
Blame it on the Brain?, Edward T. Welch. Viewing brain problems through the lens of Scripture, Welch distinguishes genuine brain disorders from disorders that may not be rooted in the brain. To learn more, go to www.ccef.org.
* listed as of 12/21 on newgrowthpress.com www.wts.edu
Westminster Today | 21
C L A SS
N O TES
[ Westminster alumni ]
Meet Wheaton’s New President
Rev. Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, MDiv 1992. President of Wheaton College 2010-
Dr. Philip Graham Ryken MDiv ’92 began serving as Wheaton’s eighth president in July 2010. A Wheaton native and the son of longtime Wheaton professor Dr. Leland Ryken and Mary Gra ha m Ryken, President Ryken at tended Wheaton as an undergraduate, majoring in English literature and philosophy. He met his wife, Lisa, during their first few days at the College, and they were married before their senior year. Dr. Ryken earned a master of divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminar y and a doctorate in histor ica l theolog y f rom the Un iver sit y of Ox ford. Dr. Ryken ret ur ned from England to join the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1995,
becoming the senior minister when Dr. James Boice died in 2000 and remaining there until his appointment at Wheaton. President Ryken has published more than 30 books, including The Message of Salvation (InterVarsity, 2001); City on a Hill: Recovering the Biblical Pattern for the Church in the 21st Century (Moody Press, 2003); Ryken’s Bible Handbook, with Leland Ryken and Jim Wilhoit (Tyndale, 2005); Art for God’s Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts (P&R, 2006); and expository commentaries on Exodus, Jeremiah, Luke and other books of the Bible. The Rykens have five children: Josh, Kirsten, Jack, Kathryn, and Karoline.
In Memoriam Rev. Dr. Charles Chao
Rev. Arthur Kuschke
(DD, ‘05)
(BTh ’39, ThM ’40), 1913-2010
Rev. Dr. Charles Chao, founder of the Reformation Translation Fellowship, died Thursday, December 16, 2010. He was 94.
Rev. Arthur Kuschke, OPC pastor and former librarian of Westminster, died Thursday, July 1, 2010. He was 96.
Sally Cummings
Dr. Donald Leggett
1933-2010
(ThM ’60)
Sally Cummings, former administrative assistant to the president and faculty, died Monday, July 26, 2010. She was 76.
Dr. Donald Leggett, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Tyndale University College & Seminary, died Saturday, March 27, 2010. He was 75.
Rev. Bruce Howes
Rev. Dr. John Oak
(MAR ’80, M.Div. ’81)
22 | Westminster Today
(DMin ’96), 1938-2010
Rev. Bruce Howes, stated clerk of the Heritage Presbytery (PCA) since 1986, died on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. He was 57.
Rev. John Oak (Oak Han-heum), founder of SaRang Community Church in Seoul, Korea, died Thursday, September 2, 2010. He was 72.
Rev. Dr. John Eui-Whan Kim
Dr. John Rainbow
(ThM ’63), 1933-2010
(MDiv ’77), 1951-2010
Rev. Dr. John Eui-Whan Kim, former professor and president of Chongshin University in Seoul, Korea, died Monday, May 10, 2010. He was 77.
Dr. John Rainbow, pastor and High School teacher in central California, died Tuesday, June 8, 2010. He was 58.
Winter 2011
eternal Word, changing world [ The discipline of practical theology ]
chae chong/luxdei photography
“
The Shepherd Leader at Home
T
he Shepherd Leader was written to help convince church leaders that the biblical metaphor of shepherding provides a comprehensive matrix for their work in the church. Identification of the shepherding functions of “knowing, feeding, leading and protecting” the sheep has been particularly helpful to
readers. In fact, Acts29 Ministries is using these roles as a key template in their materials for coaching their church planters. I also know the imagery of the shepherd could well be applied to the call of men to lead their little f locks at home. In the qualifications for eldership in 1 Timothy 3, one who aspire to office must be one who “manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Tim 3:4-5. This is not only a matter of concern for prospective leaders of the church but to all who are already de facto leaders in our homes. Might the functions of knowing, leading, feeding and protecting give guidance as we care for our family flocks? I believe the answer is a resounding “yes!” One of the fundamental blessings of being in covenant with God is that we have been brought into relationship with Him through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. It can now be said that we know Him and He knows us. Jesus reminds us “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own and my own know me” ( John 10:14). This mutual knowledge, by his grace through his Word and Spirit, is the foundation of covenant blessing. The most intimate human relationship possible is that between husband and wife—the covenant of marriage. There is supposed to be a oneness in the relationship to the extent that it reflects the relationship between Christ and his church (Ephesians 5:22- 32). At least that’s the way it’s supposed to
The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Z. Witmer, ISBN 978-1-59638-131-5, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ
be. As mutual knowledge is key to the relationship between the Lord and His people, so mutual knowledge is crucial to the true oneness and intimacy between husband and wife. The shepherd leader at home must take the lead in knowing his wife. There can be no growth in mutual knowledge without quality communication. All of us understand that there are various levels of communication. “What time will you be home from work?” “Will you pick up Billy at school?” These conversations are necessar y to keep everyone’s schedule. However, these conversations are not sufficient if we truly want to grow deeper in relationship with one another. Consider these questions: What is your wife’s biggest worry? What is your wife’s greatest concern for herself…for you…for the children? What are her unfulfilled aspirations? With what sin does your wife struggle the most? When was the last time that you asked her, “How are you doing… really?” or “How are we doing…really? Perhaps the reason we don’t ask these questions is that we don’t have the relational capital to merit a response. Growing deeper in mutual knowledge through quality communication requires quality time. This doesn’t just happen. It must be set apart. So, are you willing to take the steps necessary to grow deeper in mutual knowledge with your spouse, child, parent, sibling and/or friend? Look for Tim’s new book on The Shepherd Leader at Home coming soon.
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Westminster Today | 23
NON-PROFIT ORG.
Westminster Theological Seminary P.O. Box 27009 Philadelphia, PA 19118 www.wts.edu
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LANSDALE, PA
PERMIT NO. 177
REFORMATION TOUR
2011
Pursuing the Reformed traditions in the footsteps of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, & Knox
The European Reformation is the great watershed in the history of Christianity in the West, defining the church down to the present day. To know who we are, to understand why our churches think the way they do, we all need to understand something of the great religious convulsion that shook Europe to its foundations in the sixteenth century. This tour, focusing as it does upon key sites of Reformation importance on both mainland Europe and the British Isles, offers a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Reformers with Drs. Peter A. Lillback and Carl R. Trueman, who have spent their careers studying the life and thought of the great Reformers.
Part I
June 22 to july 1 Berlin, Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, Marburg, Heidelberg, Basel, Zurich, & Geneva
Part II
July 1 to 5 Edinburgh & London
Register online at www.wittetravel.com or call 800-469-4883